Kip’s Comments - June 16, 2025
Micro-Prairies (Habitat Islands) - Good For All
Before a Soil and Water Conservation District meeting this afternoon I wandered the small prairie area - a sample prairie - outside of the NRCS building. For many people the idea of a prairie, even a “micro prairie,” is something foreign. “Prairies are large…thousands of acres…” “Prairies are in the country, outside of the city…” “Prairies are unkempt; we prefer a manicured lawn…” Such are some comments about prairies.
Maybe there is another way to think about prairies. What if we all included a small, micro-prairie in our yard? This would be areas set aside for bees, butterflies, and maybe other wildlife - along with wildflowers - to thrive. The space would not have to be large, but big enough for a variety of native plants to exist. Think of the habitat that could be provided if we all had at least a micro-prairie! Little islands of habitat across the country could help bring pollinators (think monarch butterflies and other species) back.
The positive impacts of such an idea are several. Pollinators would have regular, continuous areas to thrive - to feed and reproduce. Our plant life - wild and domestic - depend on pollinators. More pollinator habitat should equate to more pollinators that should equate to a healthier life for humans. Pollinator habitat is pretty in its own way - the randomness, the variety of colors, the continual show of blossoms throughout the growing season.
What might be drawbacks to micro prairies? Prairies are not what we typically see in yards. Prairies can appear like abandoned or neglected areas at times. Prairies do require maintenance, but nothing unmanageable.
As I was studying the flowers (native and non-native) in the small SWCD prairie, a single honeybee landed on a butterfly weed I was photographing. That lone bee delivered a message: Plant a prairie - even in town - and they will come.
Honey Bee on Butterfly Weed - Image 986176
By the way, the prairie plot at the NRCS office is more, in my estimation, than a micro prairie. I am thinking micro prairies could be as small as a 5’x10’ area. And, some communities may require approval or permits for vegetation taller than a typically maintained monoculture yard.
We could do this. Think about establishing a “micro-prairie!”
Following are images recorded in the small, urban prairie in Waverly.
Note: Another sample “prairie” (not a micro prairie) is the ditch along the Cedar River Parkway, near the soccer complex. So much variety, so much color, so good for the environment!
Autumn Hawkbit - Image 986072
Butterfly Weed - Image 986075
Field Thistle (Canada Thistle) - Image 986084 (candidate species for exclusion from prairie)
Foxglove Beardtongue - Image 986115
Rattlesnake Master - Image 986124
Rough Cinquefoil - Image 986125
Spiderwort - Image 986134
Tall Cinquefoil - Image 986142
Yarrow - Image 986166
Yellow Sweet Clover - Image 986171
